Method of and means for stacking moulded articles in groups

ABSTRACT

Moulded articles such as bricks are arranged in a plurality of aligned rows side by side on a conveyor belt. The rows are transferred to a second belt and have their spacing adjusted. The articles are then seized in a group and lifted off the belt, turned through 180* and deposited on a next group of articles to form a two-tier set-up. This is then transferred by a gripping device to a firing carriage.

United States Patent Kamphues et a1.

[ 51 June 6, 1972 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR STACKING MOULDED ARTICLES INGROUPS Inventors:

Hermann Kamphues, Rheine; Hans-Jurgen Rosengarten, Georgsmarienhutte,both of Germany Assignee: C. Keller & Co., Laggenbeck, Germany Filed:Jan. 5, 1971 Appl. N01: 104,035

[] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 17, 1970 Germany ..P 20 813.3

US. Cl. ..214/6 A, 198/34 R, 198/35, 214/1 Q, 214/152, 294/63 Int. Cl..B65g 57/26 [58] Field ofSearch ..214/6 A, 6,6FS,6F, 6.5, 214/1 Q, 152;198/34 R, 35

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,480,161 11/1969 Bason..214/6A 3,487,954 1/1970 Pearne et a1. .....2l4/6 A 3,589,495 6/1971Pearne ..214/6 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,015,171 12/1965 GreatBritain ..214/6A Primary ExaminerRobert J. Spar Atr0rney-H. GeoffreyLynfeld [5 7] ABSTRACT Moulded articles such as bricks are arranged in aplurality of aligned rows side by side on a conveyor belt. The rows aretransferred to a second belt and have their spacing adjusted. Thearticles are then seized in a group and lifted off the belt, turnedthrough and deposited on a next group of articles to form a two-tierset-up. This is then transferred by a gripping device to a firingcarriage.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN SIQIE 3.5673622 SHEET 10F 3PATENTEDJUR B1972 3,667,622 SHEET 2 [IF 3 METHOD OF AND MEANS FORSTACKING MOULDED ARTICLES IN GROUPS This invention relates to a methodof and means for stacking molded articles such as bricks andtransferring stacked groups of such articles to a firing carriage.

It is known in the art to arrange molded articles such as bricks ortiles in spaced groups, to turn these groups through 180 and to placesuch turned group onto a next group of molded articles. In this way itis achieved that the molded articles are arranged in pairs on a firingcarriage, the individual articles lying face to face with their displaysurfaces so that these surfaces are protected against discolorationduring firing and also prevented from being deformed. The knownarrangements for forming these piles by machine have a low output as itis possible only to arrange a single row of spaced articles and to placethese one at a time onto the next succeeding row. Also it has been foundthat the re-grouping of molded members thus arranged in two-tiers causesthe alignment of the molded articles to be disturbed on the conveyorbelts which are caused to move at varying speeds. It has been found thatthese molded articles before they reach the end of the run of the belthave rotated or slipped or have even turned over and are no longer inalignment.

It is the object of the invention to overcome these drawbacks and toconvey groups of two-tier sets of molded articles to a firing carriagewithout subjecting the individual articles to undue stress and upsettheir respective alignment.

According to the invention we provide means for stacking molded articlesin groups on a firing carriage, comprising a first conveyor belt adaptedto receive a plurality of rows of molded articles arranged side by side,means for intermittently moving the leading group of articles onto asecond conveyor band in horizontal alignment with the first belt, agrouping ledge for adjusting the relative spacing of the articles on thesecond belt, a turn gripper for seizing the group of spaced articles,raising these articles off the conveyor belt, turning them through 180,and lowering them onto the next group of spaced articles to form atwo-tier set-up and a gripping device for grasping the two-tier set-upand depositing it on a firing carriage.

In a further feature of the invention a grouping ledge is arranged belowthe second conveyor band and adjustment fingers on said grouping ledgeare adapted to project through the conveyor belt and adjust the spacingof the molded articles on said second belt.

The turn gripper comprises a rectangular frame, an axle centrallymounted on said frame, and projecting with its ends beyond said frame,supports holding the ends of said axle, gripping jaws slidably mountedon the inside of said frame, and hydraulic means on said frame foropening and closing said gripping jaws.

The turn gripper has also movable intermediate tongues adapted to bepressed against the sides of the molded articles.

We further provide a method of stacking molded articles in groups on afiring carriage, comprising the steps of placing the articles in aplurality of rows arranged side by side on an intermittently drivenfirst conveyor belt, transversely lining up the rows of articles,conveying a line of articles onto a continuously driven second belt inhorizontal alignment with the first belt, the articles thus forming aspaced grouping on the second belt, adjusting the relative spacing ofthe articles on the second belt by means of adjustment fingers, seizingthe group of spaced articles, raising the articles off the conveyor beltand turning them through 180 while a next group of spaced articles islined up on the second belt, lowering the first group onto the nextgroup and thus forming a two-tier set-up and transferring this two-tierset-up onto a firing carriage by means of another gripping device.

Further details of the invention will be clear from the followingdescription having reference to the accompanying drawings showing by wayof example diagrammatically a constructional embodiment of anarrangement for stacking molded articles.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an arrangement for placing the molded articlesand an adjoining firing carriage;

FIG. 2 shows a similar view of the placement means in a differentoperating position;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line Ill-III in FIG. 1 and shows theturn gripper during its turning movement; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the turn gripper shown in FIG. 3.

The placement means comprises a first conveyor belt 1 and a secondre-grouping conveyor belt 2 which forms a continuation of the first beltand is arranged at the same height and acts for arranging the moldedarticles in groups. Between these two conveyor belts is arranged atransfer tongue 3, above which is arranged a pivotal abutment member 4which transversely lines up the rows 5 of the molded articles 6 whichare arranged side by side in longitudinal rows on the first belt, thewidth of the rows corresponding to that of the pile to be fired.

Above the portion 2a of the second conveyor belt 2 which is next to thefirst conveyor belt 1, a turn gripper 7 is arranged which is movable ina vertical direction. Below this portion 2a of the conveyor belt 2, agrouping ledge 8 is provided which is movable in a vertical direction.Ajdustment fingers 9 on this ledge are adapted to project through theconveyor belt 2 which is made in sections. This ledge, in its uppermostoperating position, is shown in FIG. 2. The adjustment fingers 9 aremovably located on the grouping ledge 8 and are capable of adjustment inrelation to each other so that their spacing can be changed.

A gripping device 10 is arranged above the other end 2b of the conveyorbelt 2. This gripping device is adapted to convey the groups of moldedarticles away from the range of the turn gripper 7 and stack up moldedarticles on a firing carriage 11 in cross-wise relationship.

The turn gripper 7 consists of a rectangular frame 12 which is turnablysuspended in supports 15, 16 with the projecting ends of an axle 13arranged centrally with respect to the frame. The frame is also providedwith gripping jaws 17, 18 which are adapted to slide towards each otheron the inside of the frame under the action of hydraulic cylinders 20,21,22 and 23 which are carried on a transverse member 19 of frame 12. Inthis way the gripping jaws can be opened and closed.

In order to grip a group of molded articles 6 aligned on the conveyorbelt, the turn gripper may be provided with movable intermediate tonguesheld in guides of the frame 12 but which have been omitted from thedrawing. These tongues are pressed against the sides of the moldedarticles when the gripping jaws are closed and are seized thereby.

The placement means shown in the drawing operate in the followingmanner: The molded articles 6 are placed by gripping means (not shown)in longitudinal rows on the first conveyor belt 1, the width of theserows corresponding to that of the pile to be fired. On movement of theconveyor belt the longitudinal rows reach the abutment member 4 whichensures the transverse alignment of rows 5 of the molded articles on thefirst conveyor belt 1.

When the longitudinal rows have reached the abutment member 4, theconveyor belt 1 is stopped and the abutment member 4 is turned upwardlyinto the position shown in broken lines thus freeing the leadingtransverse row 5 of the group of articles on the conveyor belt 1. Thefirst and second conveyor belts l and 2 are now driven at the same speedso that one transverse row 5 at a time is moved over onto the secondconveyor belt 2. After the transfer of this first transverse row 5 ontothe second conveyor band 2 has been completed, the drive of the firstconveyor belt 1 is stopped until the next following transverse row canbe moved over to the second conveyor belt 2 at the desired distance fromthe first transverse row. This process is repeated until the desirednumber of transverse rows has been transferred to the second conveyorbelt as indicated by grouping 24 shown in FIG. 1. It will be understoodthat such a grouping of the molded articles on the second conveyor beltmay also be achieved in some other convenient way.

The grouping 24 is arranged on the second conveyor belt 2 immediatelybelow the turn gripper 7. When this position has been reached, theadjustment ledge 8 is raised and the adjustment fingers 9 projectthrough the upper run of the sectional conveyor belt 2. The adjustmentfingers 9 are then moved to pre-determined distances and so contact thetransverse rows 5a of the molded articles 6 in such a manner that thesetransverse rows are spaced in exact predetermined positions. Thisadjustment is shown in grouping 24a shown in FIG. 2.

The turn gripper 7 is now lowered. In the lowered position the grippingjaws 17, 18 seize the molded articles 6 in grouping 24a at theirnarrower outer surfaces and force the molded articles against theintermediate tongue 19. The turn gripper 7 is the lifted so that thegrouping 24a of articles is moved out of reach of the adjustment fingers9. The frame 12 is then turned with the suspended grouping through 180and the sides of the molded articles which were previously uppermost arenow facing downwardly.

In the meantime, after lowering of the grouping ledge 8, a new grouping24 has been placed in position on the second conveyor belt 2 andadjusted to form a new grouping 24a. The first grouping of articleswhich is still being held by the turn gripper 7 and which has beenturned through 180 is now placed on the next properly adjusted grouping24a by lowering the turn gripper so that a two-tier set-up as shown at25 to the right of FIG. 1 is formed.

The two-tier set-up is now conveyed to the right away from the turngripper and comes below the gripping device which seizes the two-tierset-up 2S and transfers it to the firing carriage 11. On conveyingfurther two-tier set-ups, these can be readily piled up cross-wise onthe firing carriage l 1.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS 1. Means for stacking molded articles in groups on afiring carriage, comprising a first conveyor belt adapted to receive aplurality of rows of molded articles arranged side by side, means forintermittently moving the leading group of articles onto a secondconveyor band in horizontal alignment with the first belt, a groupingledge for adjusting the relative spacing of the articles on the secondbelt, a turn gripper for seizing the group of spaced articles, raisingthese articles off the conveyor belt turning them through and loweringthem onto the next group of spaced articles to form a two-tier set-upand a gripping device for grasping the two-tier set-up and depositing iton a firing carriage.

2. Means as claimed in claim 1 wherein a grouping ledge is arrangedbelow the second conveyor band and adjustment fingers on said groupingledge are adapted to project through the conveyor belt and adjust thespacing of the molded articles on said second belt.

3. Means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turn gripper comprises arectangular frame, an axle centrally mounted on said frame, andprojecting with its ends beyond said frame, supports holding the ends ofsaid axle, gripping jaws slidably mounted on the inside of said frame,and hydraulic means on said frame for opening and closing said grippingjaws.

4. Means as claimed in claim 3 wherein the turn gripper has movableintermediate tongues adapted to be pressed against the sides of themolded articles.

5. Method of stacking molded articles in groups on a firing carriage,comprising the steps of placing the articles on a plurality of rowsarranged side by side on an intermittently driven first conveyor belt,transversely lining up the rows of articles, conveying a line ofarticles onto a continuously driven second belt in horizontal alignmentwith the first belt, the articles thus forming a spaced grouping on thesecond belt, adjusting the relative spacing of the articles on thesecond belt by means of adjustment fingers, seizing the group of spacedarticles, raising the articles ofi the conveyor belt and turning themthrough 180 while a next group of spaced articles is lined up on thesecond belt, lowering the first group onto the next group and thusforming a two-tier set-up and transferring this two-tier set-up onto afiring carriage by means of another gripping device,

1. Means for stacking molded articles in groups on a firing carriage,comprising a first conveyor belt adapted to receive a plurality of rowsof molded articles arranged side by side, means for intermittentlymoving the leading group of articles onto a second conveyor band inhorizontal alignment with the first belt, a grouping ledge for adjustingthe relative spacing of the articles on the second belt, a turn gripperfor seizing the group of spaced articles, raising these articles off theconveyor belt turning them through 180*, and lowering them onto the nextgroup of spaced articles to form a two-tier set-up and a gripping devicefor grasping the two-tier set-up and depositing it on a firing carRiage.2. Means as claimed in claim 1 wherein a grouping ledge is arrangedbelow the second conveyor band and adjustment fingers on said groupingledge are adapted to project through the conveyor belt and adjust thespacing of the molded articles on said second belt.
 3. Means as claimedin claim 1 wherein the turn gripper comprises a rectangular frame, anaxle centrally mounted on said frame, and projecting with its endsbeyond said frame, supports holding the ends of said axle, gripping jawsslidably mounted on the inside of said frame, and hydraulic means onsaid frame for opening and closing said gripping jaws.
 4. Means asclaimed in claim 3 wherein the turn gripper has movable intermediatetongues adapted to be pressed against the sides of the molded articles.5. Method of stacking molded articles in groups on a firing carriage,comprising the steps of placing the articles on a plurality of rowsarranged side by side on an intermittently driven first conveyor belt,transversely lining up the rows of articles, conveying a line ofarticles onto a continuously driven second belt in horizontal alignmentwith the first belt, the articles thus forming a spaced grouping on thesecond belt, adjusting the relative spacing of the articles on thesecond belt by means of adjustment fingers, seizing the group of spacedarticles, raising the articles off the conveyor belt and turning themthrough 180* while a next group of spaced articles is lined up on thesecond belt, lowering the first group onto the next group and thusforming a two-tier set-up and transferring this two-tier set-up onto afiring carriage by means of another gripping device.